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Sunday, 22 November 2009

Swine flu

Swine flu – what the government is doing

The government has launched the National Pandemic Flu Service. This will help take the pressure off front-line health services and give people access to antiviral drugs without having to see a GP. This is just part of the government's coherent national and local response across the UK.

The National Pandemic Flu Service

A new National Pandemic Flu Service has been launched. This is designed to free up GPs so they can focus on helping those in higher risk groups and patients with other illnesses.

A website and call centres have been set up to help diagnose people who think they might have swine flu.

If you think you might have swine flu, check your symptoms by following the link below, or call 0800 1 513 100 (0800 1 513 200 for textphone).

If you are told you have swine flu you will be given a unique access number and told where your nearest antiviral collection point is. You should then ask a flu friend - a friend or relative who doesn't have swine flu - to go and pick up your antivirals for you. The flu friend must show their own ID as well as yours.

For more information on what to do if you think you have swine flu, follow the prevention and treatment link below.

Containment to treatment

As more people catch the virus in their communities rather than from abroad, it has become less effective to try to contain swine flu. 

Health services need to spend more time and energy treating the increasing numbers who have the virus, so following the agreement of ministers in all four UK nations, the government has decided to move from containment and outbreak management policies to the treatment phase.

This means that:

  • GPs can diagnose swine flu on the basis of symptoms rather than waiting for laboratory testing
  • all tracing of people who have been in contact with a sufferer will stop
  • people who may have been exposed to the virus will not be given antiviral drugs
  • anyone who is diagnosed with swine flu will continue to be offered antivirals until further notice

Antivirals and vaccine

The government has taken to steps to make sure there are enough antivirals and vaccine for all people affected by swine flu.

At present there are enough antivirals such as Tamiflu and Relenza for 50 per cent of the UK population. Orders have been placed to increase this to 80 per cent.

Swine flu vaccinations have now begun for people in high-risk groups, such as people with chronic conditions and pregnant women.

You will be contacted by your GP if you are in a high-risk category.

Helping developing countries

The UK will provide up to £23 million in funding to help countries in the developing world buy swine flu vaccine.

The government has also announced it will provide the World Health Organisation with the vaccine itself once supplies become available.

Slowing the spread of a pandemic

Social gatherings

Although close contact with others, particularly in a crowded and confined space, speeds the spread of the virus, there is little evidence that cancelling public gatherings would help the community.

However, international gatherings held in the UK, with participants coming from infected areas, may be postponed.

Travel restrictions

Imposing general travel restrictions is unlikely to have a large impact on a pandemic. It is far more effective for people feeling the symptoms of flu to stay at home and rest.

Schools and services

All public services - including schools - may be affected by staff being ill or through disruption to transport. Schools may also be shut if there is a confirmed outbreak of swine flu. Stay tuned to local radio or TV and keep up to date with local, recent developments.

General advice

If you think you have swine flu, check your symptoms online by following the National Pandemic Flu Service link below, or call 0800 1 513 100 (0800 1 513 200 for textphone).

Contact your GP directly if:

  • you have a serious underlying illness
  • you are pregnant
  • you have a sick child under one year old
  • your condition suddenly gets much worse
  • your condition is still getting worse after seven days (five for a child)

Follow the links below for more information.

Advice for businesses

Follow the link below for information on how to prepare your business for swine flu.

More useful links

You can access further information on swine flu by following the links below:

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